Butchering, 'Flat Stanley' and illusions on Todd Chance's playlist

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Halloween parties and haunted attractions are in full effect from now until Wednesday. Use this edition of The Playlist to extend your weekend with two events on Sunday, Oct. 28, and one on Halloween that you may have missed.

If you would like your event considered for publication, send me the details at tchance@mlive.com.

Beer & Butchery at Trillium Haven Restaurant

Trillium Haven, 1429 Lake Drive SE, is joining Founders Brewing to present Beer and Butchery at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, and Monday, Oct. 29. Leave your vegetarian friends at home as this night will not only present some of the best locally raised pork but also tutor you in the complete butchering of a pig.

In-house butcher Jeremy Britt will teach patrons how to bone out a shoulder and leg, demonstrate what to do with the odd bits and how make a porchetta. After the butchery class, you’ll enjoy a six-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Joel Wabeke. Each course will be paired with a locally brewed Founders beer with Founders co-founder Dave Engbers and Michigan Market Manager Marguex Bouwkamp explaining how the flavor profile of each beer complements its accompanying dish.

Tickets are $75 per person and include the class and dinner. Tax and gratuity are not included. Each evening’s event is limited to 30 people. For more information, visit Trillium Haven Restaurant’s Facebook page or call 616-301-0998.

"Flat Stanley" at Civic Theatre

Maybe the world really is flat. At least it is for Stanley Lambchop.

The Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. matinee is the final performance of the children’s musical "Flat Stanley" at Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave., in downtown Grand Rapids. The show is based on the popular books by Timothy Allen McDonald. This quick show (runtime is 55 minutes) is perfect for those with shorter attention spans – namely, children.

If your children like the Flat Stanley books, this is a great way to introduce them to live theater. Tickets to the musical are $10-$16 and can be purchased at the theater box office or by visiting grct.org.

Night of Illusions at San Chez Bistro

What is Halloween if not the ultimate night of illusions? If you think Halloween falling on a Wednesday this year is a drag, you have no idea how accurate you are. MP Talent Management has teamed up with San Chez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton St., to present another Night of Illusions show.

"Night of Illusions: Halloween Style" starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, and includes drinks, tapas and a drag performance by award-winning Queens. Come in your most elaborate Halloween costume and enter into the contest judged by the drag queens. You may win this year’s tiara.

Think this is outside of your comfort zone? What better excuse than Halloween to let your hair down a little. Call 616-774-7282 for reservations. Tickets are $59.